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Romania

Establishing

tradeunionactionstodealwitht

hecrisis

9-12November20

10,Turin1052-022

Today, the economic and financial crisis is affecting all of the countries of Europeand Africa, albeit in varying degrees, and it is an important topic perhaps the

most important one of public debate nationally as well as at regional andinternational levels.

Objectives:The fact that the seminar participants come from a number of European andAfrican countries represents a real opportunity, during the course of the seminarin Turin, to:

exchange information around the topic of the crisis, taking into account, atthe same time, the current economic and social situation in the differentcountries, the measures and policies adopted to deal with the crisis and themain elements of the public debate on this subject;

Carry out an analysis together and hold a joint trade union discussionaround the topic of the economic and financial crisis.

Tasks:Before arriving at the seminar, you are asked to prepare in order to enable you toinform the other participants, briefly but coherently, about the situation in yourcountry with regard to the topic of the economic and financial crisis, to be moreprecise:

1. What are the main characteristics (aspects/dimensions/impacts) of

the economic and financial crisis in your country?(complete tables 1 and 2)

2. What are the main measures/policies adopted in your country to face

the crisis? (Plans to rescue and/or strengthen the liquidity of the banks,plans to support and/or revive the economy, measures relating to thelabour market and social protection, etc.)What are the trade unionpositions in regard to these adopted measures/policies? (tables 3 and 4)

3. How are the trade unions in your country tackling the subject of the crisis

and what areyour organisations priorities in regard to tradeunion action to deal with the crisis? (table 5)

This preparation regarding the national realities is important and thisinformation will be useful at different stages of the seminar.

Economic and financial crisis - Situation at national level

Preparatory work

1

Main characteristics of the economic andfinancial crisis in your country:Aspects/dimensions/impacts on the production

2

Main impacts of the crisis on theworkers and the trade unionorganisations in your country:

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and financial systems and on the labour market

1. The further development of the blackeconomy

1. In order to avoid the increase oftaxes, most of workers tent to turn tothe illegal employment.

2. The lack of state support andGovernment 'simpathy' for the labourmarket

2. In Romania the Government and itsinstitutions tend to be of oppositesides with the private sector and withthe workers in general. TheGovernment rarely negotiates withresults with the unions.

3. Instability of the economy andcontinuous recession

3. The unions and the private sector arewilling to participate in the strategydevelopment of the economicrelaunch. Moreover we often developplans and comments in order to helpthe Government built future for our

economy.

3Main measures/policies adopted in your

country to face the crisis(plans to save and/or strengthen the liquidity of

the banks, plans to support and revive theeconomy, measures relating to the labour

market and social protection)

4Trade union positions

in regard to the adopted measures/policies

1. The increase of VAT from 19 to 24 % 1. The private sector will be unable to resistthe increase of VAT. Hundreds of businessesare closed everyday and the relaunch of theeconomy fades away. The unemployment isincreasing.

2. Reductions in budgetary salaries with 25% 2. The main problem is that together with theincrease of VAT most of the public employeescant afford to cover the domestic bills and thebank loans. It is a not a solution for the longterm.

3. Public employment reduced in 3 waves 3. The system is indeed overpopulated but thereduction needs to be done followingperformance indicators and long termobjectives, not political affiliations.

4. 15% pensions reductions though the measurewas declared unconstitutional

4. It is cruel and illegal to reduce the pensionsof the persons who worked for severaldecades. They have rights that must beprotected.

5. increase number and values of most taxes 5. The re-launch of economy cant be donewith no stimulation for the private sector.The increase number of taxes and/or itsvalues is just another push for the blackeconomy to develop.

5

Areas seen as priorities by your organisation in regard to

trade union action to deal with the crisis

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1. The problem with the return of the bank loans for our members is very important. Over80% of the ones who have bank loans have problems with the monthly payments. We arenow working with the Bank Association and the banks themselves built a partnershipwhere both parts have something to win.

2. In the last few months we had meting and strikes in order for the Government and themedia to understand our problems, who work together to find solutions that we all agree.

3. We represent our members in the relationship with the courts of justice and theinstitutions. We promote their rights and we defend them from illegal practices andabuses.

4. We try to participate in any decision making in regard to the interests of our members

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